ARLINGTON, Va. - Beginning Feb. 15, the Army will conduct a 30-day stand-down that will include training on how to recognize behavior that may lead to suicide and how to intervene if you see that behavior in a buddy.
The stand-down will be followed by a chain-teaching program focused on suicide prevention from March 15 to June 15, 2009.
How they reach the 372,000 geographically dispersed members of the Army National Guard is a challenge that the Army is very familiar with. And it's one that the Guard's Soldier/Family Support and Service Division are prepared to take on.
"We are keenly aware of unique stressors facing Soldiers and their families today," said Master Sgt. Marshall Bradshaw, the division's suicide prevention program manager. "We continue to address these issues on several fronts."
Bradshaw added that Guardmembers, who do not drill during the stand down, will be required to complete it during their next scheduled assembly.
The Army recently announced that for the fourth consecutive year, it has seen an increase in suicide rates. There were 128 suicides in 2008 in the active Army, with another 15 cases still pending a determination, according to data compiled by Army human resources officials. This was up from 115 suicides in 2007.
In comparison, the Army National Guard has seen a decrease in suicide rates with 42 suicides in 2008 with another 16 cases still pending determination, according to ARNG figures. This is down from 59 in 2007.
"We want the families, who have lost loved ones to suicide, to understand how deeply we feel their loss and that we are committed to doing everything possible to prevent this tragedy in our Army," said Secretary of the Army Pete Geren.
Over the past two years, the Army has increased its efforts to reduce suicides in the force.
One of the keys to these efforts is to eliminate the stigma associated with seeking mental health care. "We need to help our Soldiers and their Families understand that it's O.K. to ask for help," said Gen. Peter Chiarelli, the vice chief of staff of the Army.
Many of the programs being offered are not only for Soldiers, but also for their families.
The Army's Battlemind training helps prepare Soldiers and their families for the stressors of separation by presenting them with strategies for developing resiliency. The original training was used to prepare Soldiers for deployment, but it has been expanded to include classes for families throughout the Soldier's deployment.
"Strong Bonds" is a specialized training program to assist single Soldiers, couples, and families with communication tactics to improve relationships and build skills that enhance relationships and strengthen resiliency. This is a weekend retreats that is designed to allow the Soldier and spouse to escape the distractions of life and focus on their relationship.
The Army and the National Institute of Mental Health will conduct long-term research to identify factors impacting the mental and behavioral health of Soldiers and to share intervention and mitigation strategies that will help decrease suicides.
During the five-year study, the NIMH may interview active and reserve component Soldiers, their Families, and their parents.
In addition to offering the programs mentioned above, the Army National Guard has trained suicide prevention program managers in every state and suicide intervention officers in every company.
States are also hiring a director of psychological health, who will provide case management and resourcing support for Soldiers who need help.
Finally, the Yellow Ribbon Program addresses all the challenges that Soldiers and their families face before, during and after a deployment. It provides support during the separation, and it trains Soldiers and their families to be prepared for the changes they will face when they are reunited after a deployment. When Soldiers do return, the program helps them to reintegrate into civilian life and provides training on how to get help if needed.
"Our Soldiers and Airmen and their families give their all to protect us at home and abroad," said Maj. Gen. Brian Tarbet, adjutant general of the Utah National Guard, "And we will continue to do all we can as leaders to educate our members on how to recognize, report and prevent suicides."
The Army Guard is also developing relationships with the Veterans Administration and other community service organizations to ensure that Guard and reserve Soldiers in remote locations have access to mental health services and social support
"Progress depends on coordinated efforts across our entire Army – across all components, jurisdictions and commands, and on effective work with our government partners," Geren said.